How will a WC affect Sydney ?

[goswannie14]

Probably more pertinent is that we are discussing something that may or may not happen in 9 or 13 years, and debating which will be the more "popular" sport at that time? There's a good chance that soccer will have out-stretched AFL by then, but given that it is the fastest growing sport in the world, perhaps basketball may be the number one choice in another decade?

Maybe we should be slotting in an inaugural World Cup of Basketball for 2022 instead??

They were claiming that would be the case 20 years ago. Then Basketball was only televised on pay tv and it's popularity at the highest level in Australia has died, hence the sham that is the NBL this season.

[laughingnome]

They were claiming that would be the case 20 years ago. Then Basketball was only televised on pay tv and it's popularity at the highest level in Australia has died, hence the sham that is the NBL this season.

I would have thought the NBL crashed because people could watch (via pay tv) the NBA, the premier competition in the world. Australians with talent went for the cash in the States (who could blame them) and while the local quality hasn't changed much the easy access of the NBA, made even easier by ONE, has meant that the local league can't compete.

For the same reason, the local soccer comp in Brazil is wholly dependant on monies from the national side, with no club being financially secure. When it comes to clubs, the locals watch the EPL or Bundesliga because the best Brazillians play there and the quality of the games are better.

So, with those examples in mind, what makes the A-League and soccer fans think it will be a different story in Australia?

[cos789]

Surely the popularity of soccer has everything to do with it!

Maybe after it has been proved that we will not suffer financially .
There has been no official costings released at the moment .
We do not even know much of the detail at the moment .
This is multi-billion dollar exercise not a suck it and see thing .

.

[chammond]

For the same reason, the local soccer comp in Brazil is wholly dependant on monies from the national side, with no club being financially secure. When it comes to clubs, the locals watch the EPL or Bundesliga because the best Brazillians play there and the quality of the games are better.

Even if that statement were true (which it isn't - the quality of domestic Brazilian football is equal or better than most European leagues, and is hugely popular in Brazil), what's that got to do with soccer in Australia?

So, with those examples in mind, what makes the A-League and soccer fans think it will be a different story in Australia?

Soccer is not "new" in Australia, it's been around for decades, and is very popular as a participation sport. It is now flourishing very nicely as a spectator sport despite little or no exposure on mainstream TV or radio. Given that it is a 'summer' sport and doesn't compete directly with NRL or AFL, and will move onto free-to-air TV in 2013, I'd say that 2018/2022 would be perfect timing for it to become Australia's number one football code and stage the world's number one sporting event.

Maybe after it has been proved that we will not suffer financially .
There has been no official costings released at the moment .
We do not even know much of the detail at the moment .
This is multi-billion dollar exercise not a suck it and see thing .

I've no doubt it will be subject to the same financial scrutiny as was the 2000 Olympics. And in the end (as with the Olympics) it will be a political decision, not a financial decision, driven by the usual rash of pork-barrelling, which is why Demetriou is doing his grandstanding now rather than in the future, thereby ensuring that the AFL will get its snout in the trough at the appropriate time.